Connecting device for securing alpha tire to the rim of alpha vehicle wheel



Feb. 23, 1932. c, c. BLACKMORE `1,846,082

CONNECTING DEVICE FOR SECURING A TIRE T0 THE RIM OF A VEHICLE WHEEL Filed Sept. 23, 1929 /NVE/VTDI?.

CHARLESC. HLAC/(MURE.

E g: i Ma/@ZM ATTORNEY I Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNlvlED STARS PATENT FFIC- @HABILES C. BLACKMORE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO `'llfili\AT!Z".'lI01\l' TOY & SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, .A CORPORATION OF OHIO CONNECTING DEVICE FOR SECURING A TIRE 'I'O IIIE RIM OF A. VEHICLE YVIIL'EEL` Application filed September 23, 1929. Serial No. 394,457.

This invention relates to a connecting device for securing a tire about the rim of a vchicle Wheel and is designed more particularly for securing tires to the Wheels of toy vehicles and other small vehicles but is not limited to such use. Rubber tires have been secured to Wheels in various Ways but the more common method consists in passing a Wire through a longitudinal opening in the tire, drawing` the wire tight to bind the tire to the rim of the Wheel, and then twisting the ends ot' the Wire together to secure the tire in place. In so applying a tire it is necessary to force the ends ot the tire back along the Wire to expose the parts of the Wire which are to be twisted together and, after the Wires have been twisted, to force the ends of the tire over the twisted Wire and into abutting contact. This method oil securing a tire is eiiicient but the labor and time required are so great that the cost is quite high, this being particularly true in the case of toy vehicles and the like.

@ne object of the invention is to provide a method whereby the ends oit the tire may 5 be connected one to the other' and the tire tirmly secured about the Wheel rim With a minimum of labor and time.

A further object ot the invention is to provide a simple inexpensive device by means ot which the en ds of the tire may be quickly and easily connected one to the other.

@ther objects of the invention Will appear as the device is described in detail.

ln the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a perspective vieiv oi" a connecting` device made in accordance with my invention; F ig. 2 is a side elevation of a tire, with the rim in section, showing the position oit the parts at the bei' ,H 9 40 ginning of the connecting operation, Fig. o

.oiithe tire. I prefer that the strip tive ends of the tire, by the relative longitudinal movement of the parts, and the end portions ot' which are provided With barbs to bite into the material of the tiro and prevent the separation of the parts. Preferably the connecting device consists of a relatively thin metallic strip 6 having yits ends tapered, as shown at 7, to facilitate its entry into the openings in the tire, and having both edges provided With notches to formbarbs 8. The barbs have their forward edges,that isthe edges adjacent to the ends of the strip, inclined or tapered so that when the strip is inserted in the opening in the tire the material Will be displaced as the barbs are `forced past thesame and Willthen contract at the rear end of the barb so that the latter Will firmly engage the material and prevent the separation of the strip and the tire. The barbs on the tivo end portions of the connecting device face in opposite directions, that is, toward the transverse center line of the strip. The overall Widthot the strip is somewhat greaterI than the Width of the opening in the tire so that the barbs Will project intothe rubber, or other material, ofthe tire a substantial distance and will provide a very firm strong connection. The opening With which the tire is usually provided, to receive the attaching Wire, may be utilized in connection Withiny connecting `device but obviously it is not necessary that the openingl should extend for the full length or body of the connecting device should be curved about the axis of the rim so that it Will have initially the shape which "it must assume when inserted in the ends oi the tire. `However7 it is not essential that the strip have the initial curvature as its flexibility `Will' permit it to accommodate itself to the cur vature` of the tire. i

In connecting the tire Withthe Wheel the tire Qis placed in position on the rim l0 with its ends separated a distance substantially equal to the length of the connecting devico. The pointed ends of the connecting device are then inserted in the openings in the respective ends of the tire and it is thereby supported in its proper position With relation to the rim and to the tire. Pressure is then applied to the two ends of the tire to move the same lengthwise one toward the other. This movement is relative to the con- 1-5 necting device and as the ends of the tire approach one another they will envelope the respective end portions of the connecting device and the two ends of the tire will meet in abutting contact at approximately the lo transverse center line of the connecting device. The barbs on the connecting device hold the end portions of the. tire in the position to which they have been moved and positively prevent the separation thereof.

15 While I have shown and described one form of connecting device and the method of applying the same I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the 'details thereof asvarious modifications s' may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1, AY device for securing a tire to a wheel s comprising a bar the respective end portions of which. are adapted to enter longitudinal openings inthe abuttingvends of a flexible tire, each end portion of said bar having a plurality of rigid barbs, the barbs on the a two end portions facing in opposite directions and each barb having its forward edge extending at an acute angle tothe length of said bar and having its rear edge extending transversely to said bar to provide an 8 abrupt shoulder which will be immediately engaged by the material of the tire which has been displaced by the inclined forward edge of the barb, whereby when the ends of said tire have been brought into abutting engagement they will be firmly held against separation.

2. A device for securing a tire to a wheel comprising an elongated memberchaving its end portions shaped to enter longitudinal a, openings in the abutting ends of a flexible tire, each end portion of said member having in each edge thereof a series of notches forming barbs, each notch having one wall thereof extending at an acute angle to the length n of said member to provide a sharply inclined edge for one barband having its other wall extending transversely to said member to provide an abrupt rear edge for the next preceding barb, which edge will be immediately engaged by the material of said tire which has'been displaced by the inclined forward edge of that barb, whereby when the ends of said tire have been brought into abutting engagement they will be firmly held against l .I separation.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature hereto.

CHARLES C. BLACKMORE. 'Y 

